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A propensity towards being overweight is becoming more prevalent in children. Parents’ behaviours play an important role in children''s eating behaviour and weight status. In addition to being a role model and providing meals, parents also exert influence by using control techniques. One frequently used technique is restriction of intake. This study assessed whether the prohibition of food in the first phase would lead to an increase in desire for the target food and overeating in the second phase. As predicted, desire increased significantly in the prohibition group, whereas it remained constant in the no-prohibition group. Though no significant differences between groups were found in absolute levels of consumption of food, the proportion of consumed target food was significantly higher in the prohibition group. Finally, children whose parents imposed either very little or a lot of restriction at home consumed more kilocalories during the experiment, as opposed to children who were exposed to a moderate level of restriction at home. These data indicate that restriction can have adverse effects on children''s food preference and caloric intake. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Overweight/obese children are at risk of becoming overweight/obese adults so early intervention is important. Recent adult obesity treatment trials suggest that adding cognitive therapy to standard behaviour therapy can help maintain weight loss in the long term (e.g. Werrij et al., submitted for publication). For children aged 5–12, the treatment of choice is a behavioural program focusing on changing eating habits, increasing exercise, and involving parents (Jelalian & Saelens, 1999). In this pilot study, a regionally developed group treatment program for overweight adolescents, entitled RealFit, was evaluated in the short term and at 1-year follow-up. It was tested whether adding cognitive therapy was superior to (1) a standard program (physical activity and dietary interventions alone), (2) a combination of standard behaviour therapy plus communication about sports, and (3) a waiting-list control group. The programs also included parental sessions. Before and after treatment, and at 1 year-follow-up, the adolescents were assessed with respect to weight and height and several self-report questionnaires. The combination of physical activity, dietary interventions and cognitive therapy was most successful in reducing percentage overweight, body fat, and negative cognitions about overweight and the self in the short term. Despite the drop-out rate at follow-up, there appears to be a significant effect of RealFit after 1 year. Jelalian, E., & Saelens, B. E. (1999). Empirically supported treatments in paediatric psychology: Paediatric obesity. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 24, 223–248. Werrij, M. Q., Mulkens, S., Elgersma, H., Ament, A., Hospers, H. J., & Jansen, A. (submitted for publication). CBT prevents relapse in obesity treatment whereas standard behaviour therapy does not. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]